Campus News

Anonymous Gifts Lead Support Of Fine And Performing Arts Center

Posted: April 16th, 2003

April 15, 2003
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – An anonymous gift of $1 million is one of four extraordinary gifts Lake Superior State University has received recently from anonymous donors for its fine and performing arts center.

The $1 million gift, in the form of a trust, is one of the largest gifts in support of any LSSU project. In addition to the charitable trust, the donor has pledged an additional $100,000 to be paid over four years.

This significant gift is among several noteworthy gifts for the center, according to the LSSU Foundation. A second anonymous donor has donated more than $400,000 in Native American artwork that will be displayed in the new fine arts facility. This donor has pledged another $350,000 for the accommodation and operational costs for maintaining the artwork.

A third gift of $100,000 will benefit the construction of the building. The donor said he hopes the gift will, in some small measure, assist LSSU in carrying forward its mission, particularly in the fine arts.

LSSU received a fourth anonymous donation of $50,000, also in support of the fine arts center, which is scheduled to be completed in fall 2004.

"It's interesting to see what motivates people to give. Sometimes people are looking for the recognition of giving but there is a select group that does not seek it," according to Dave Eitland, director of development for the LSSU Foundation. "This extraordinary giving to the fine and performing arts center at LSSU is a case in point."

LSSU Foundation Chair Walt North and LSSU President Betty Youngblood emphasized the importance of these recent gifts in the education of LSSU students and in promoting arts and culture in the community.

"These gifts were obviously not for personal recognition, but to enhance the lives of others," said North. "The impact is beyond measure, as is the vision of the donors. Such generosity helps us continue to provide an excellent quality education to the students of our region."

"Even during the downturn of the economy and cutbacks in state funding, these donors demonstrated a faith and confidence in our educational mission and how we serve the community," said Youngblood. "These gifts also highlight the great support for arts and culture in this area."

For more information on how you can make a contribution in support of the fine and performing arts center, call the LSSU Foundation, 906-635-2665. For more information, visit www.lssu.edu/foundation/fapa. –LSSU-